Zhang Lu turned his attention to the long-shirted scribe beside him. This man's surname was Yan Mingpu, a native of Anhan in Brazil, and he was the most relied-upon counselor under Zhang Lu's command.
Yan Pu frowned when he heard Zhang Lu asking, "You have to surrender before they come. It's too unambitious. But they also have some information about Yuan Shu's soldiers and horses.
There are more than 200,000 soldiers and horses in Chang'an alone. Including the 70,000 to 80,000 soldiers and horses outside Wudu County, Yuan Shu has at least 300,000 soldiers and horses here, while he only has a mere 80,000 soldiers. However, relying on the favorable geographical location
There is no problem if you want to hold on to your advantages.
"My lord, Yuan Shu is coming fiercely, but we don't necessarily lose. The first thing we have to do now is to defend Mianyang. Once Xun You breaks through Wudu County, he can attack Hanzhong from the west and order General Zhang Wei to build on the mountain."
Pass, block their eastward passage, and send soldiers and horses to burn down the plank roads in the remaining ancient roads. As long as Yuan Shu can't fly, no matter how many soldiers and horses he has, he can't even think of entering Hanzhong."
Hearing Yan Pu's words, Zhang Lu was still a little confused. After all, the world was basically in the hands of Yuan Shu. It was simply impossible to resist Yizhou's strength alone.
Even if they can resist now, it will still be difficult for Yuan Shu to resist him after he really spends time to attack Hanzhong.
"Brother, Yan Pu is right. Hanzhong is not as good as the Central Plains. The Central Plains are flat and flat, but Hanzhong has many mountains and narrow roads that are inconvenient to travel. Moreover, the cavalry that the Central Plains princes are proud of cannot be used in Hanzhong, so I do not recommend surrender."
Zhang Lu's younger brother Zhang Wei also agreed with Yan Pu. Wouldn't it be good for him to be the local bully in Hanzhong?
Why surrender to Yuan Shu?
"Okay, let's do it this way. Gongze, you immediately go to Yangping Pass, build a defense on the mountain, and arrange for people to burn down the plank roads in other passes, and defend Hanzhong. At the same time, send people to Yizhou to ask Liu Yan to increase his troops in Hanzhong."
Since everyone did not agree to surrender to Cao Cao, Zhang Lu temporarily gave up the idea, then began to set up a defense line and rode a fast horse straight to Chengdu.
Yuan Shu led his army south, but he soon realized that he was wrong. Both he and Jia Xu had misjudged the ruggedness of Yizhou. If they wanted to enter Hanzhong from Chang'an, there were only a few canyons to go through.
After his troops arrived, they discovered that most of the plank roads here had been burned. Not only did it take a long time to repair, but the movement of troops was also very slow. Only the slightly larger route in the direction of the inclined valley could be passed smoothly.
Yuan Shu's place is not smooth, and Xun You's place is also a bit difficult. Wudu County is a very important strategic location. It has been known since ancient times that it leads to Longliang in the north and Bashu in the south. Moreover, there is a mix of Hu and Han people here, with Shu people, Di people, and Xiliang people.
There are other Hu ethnic groups, so it can be said that this place is a hodgepodge, the Golden Triangle.
Therefore, although Wudu County is under the jurisdiction of Yizhou, the people who really dominate here are the leader of the Di people, Xinghe, and the king of Di, Dou Mao. He has more than 100,000 tribesmen under his command, and he has 30,000 elite soldiers.
There are also nearly 20,000 servants. These 50,000 people are the support of Dou Mao in the military capital.
Since Yuan Shu pacified Yongliang, many Di people have fled to Wudu County one after another, and Dou Mao has won more than ten thousand soldiers and horses from these Di people. Dou Mao, who has strong soldiers and horses, saw Xun You coming to attack, how could he give up Wudu County so easily?
territory, and the contradiction between the Di people and the Han people has existed since ancient times.
So Dou Mao ordered the Di people to block the passage and defend according to the danger, hoping to prevent Xun You from entering Wudu County. This was the top priority, and it was completely destroyed.
But Xun You had long expected such a situation to happen, so this time he not only brought troops and horses, but also recruited thousands of repair craftsmen, stonemasons, and carpenters, all needed.
Even if Dou Mao is destroying it, they can repair it as long as the materials can keep up, so although it will be a little difficult, the army is still moving forward firmly.
Dou Mao was also a fool. He only destroyed the passage to Sanguan and did not send troops to snipe at all levels. Instead, he stationed his army in Hechi, the exit of Sanguan, waiting for the decisive battle with Xun You.
"Military advisor, do you think Dou Mao is stupid?
Why don't you send troops to snipe us on our way out?"
Ju Yi approached Xun You's carriage and looked at the road in front of him with doubts.
"Haha, this means that the general trend is mine, and this is Dou Mao, right? If it were someone else to guard it, it would not be so easy to pass."
Xun You smiled slightly and looked at the sky in front of him, his eyes full of joy.
If you were to defend this place by yourself, you would have to lose at least half of the enemy in a single pass, and you might not be able to get through. However, since Dou Mao is defending here, it would be much easier.
"Well, it is indeed true. This may be the trend."
Ju Yichang nodded to Xun You. He was right. Maybe this was the so-called leader.
More than twenty days later, Xun You finally led his army to overcome difficulties and fight out of Sanguan.
"King, the enemy has passed Sanguan and is now less than thirty miles away from Hechi."
Although King Dou Mao of Di was a bit naive, he was not stupid. He did not set up an ambush inside San Pass, but he ambushed the scouts at the pass. Therefore, as soon as Xun You left San Pass, his people brought the news back.
"How many enemies are there?"
When he heard that Xun You had left Sanguan, Dou Mao's nerves immediately went up.
"Fifty thousand infantry and twenty thousand cavalry."
The scout directly reported the number of Xun You's troops and horses.
"We have 70,000 soldiers and horses. Get ready and open the city to fight."
After Dou Mao said what he said, everyone was stunned. What the hell? When they were leaving the customs, you said that the Han people were not worth mentioning and did not need special treatment. Now that they have left the valley, you know that they have 70,000 troops.
When I leave the city for a decisive battle, is there a lump on my head, or is it because I took the wrong medicine?
"King Di, I think we should defend the city and use the defense of Hechi City to consume Xun You's troops. It would be unwise to leave the city for a decisive battle now."
Qu Ding, a general under the command of King Dou Mao of Di, took a step forward, cupped his fists and made suggestions to Dou Mao.
Qu Ding fled from Hanzhong and came to Wudu County. He was very brave and quickly rose to prominence after joining the army. Although he was a Han, he flourished under Dou Mao. Now he is a leader of ten thousand people and controls the whole army.
They are definitely not soldiers and horses of the Di people.
"Quding, don't talk nonsense. I feel that your king's arrangement is very reasonable. Xun You's troops must be exhausted after so many days of running around. They have just come out of the valley and they must want to rest. If we send troops now, we will definitely be able to fight."
They were caught off guard, not to mention that we also have an army of 60,000. We are waiting for work at ease and using our energy to defeat the mediocre. We will definitely be able to win in one battle and drive them back to Yongzhou."
After listening to Qu Ding's words, Dou Mao's general Deldu sneered at him, and then spoke out with completely opposite suggestions.
"Derdu is right, that's what I think. Xun You has just come out of the valley, and the army must be tired. We are waiting for work to fight him, and it will be difficult to resist. If we can decide the world in one battle, why wait until Xun You recovers his strength to attack?
What about urban warfare?”
Dou Mao nodded towards Del Du. His idea coincided with his. His idea was to wait for work in leisure, and to take advantage of Xun You who had just left seclusion and was on an unstable footing to send troops to force him to fight him decisively, and decide the outcome in one battle.
"Your Majesty, it is no joke that Jizhou soldiers and horsemen are the best in the world. This is the achievement of Jizhou army with one sword and one shot.
Yuan Shu traveled all the way to conquer the land in all directions, and the Jizhou Army was the sharpest butcher's knife under his command. Anyone who despises them will become their stepping stone. If we really despise them, I'm afraid it will be our turn next."
After listening to Dou Mao's words, Qu Ding couldn't help but feel anxious. This Dou Mao is a fool. He underestimated himself, but actually underestimated the Jizhou army. I'm afraid this battle will be difficult.
"Don't worry, I have everything under control. Send me the king's order and the whole army will be ready to set off immediately."
Facing Qu Ding's words, Dou Mao didn't take it seriously. In his opinion, the so-called Jizhou Army is the best in the world is just a rumor. He doesn't believe it. He will now prove that he is the king of Wudu County. No matter you
